Context
Although medical care in Rwanda has improved significantly in recent years, the country is still dependent on imports of medicine and vaccines. For 2024 alone, expenditures for medicine imports are expected to reach USD 100 million.
To secure the supply of medicine and vaccines, the Rwandan Government wants to establish a continental centre for pharmaceutical and biotechnology production. The production facility announced by the German company BioNTech, which is currently under construction, will serve as a starting point.
The Rwandan Government plans to build on this and develop a complete value chain for vaccine production. To achieve this goal, the responsible governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in Rwanda need additional expertise to create a suitable operating environment for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector and to promote private sector investment.
Objective
The enabling environment for establishing the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector in Rwanda is improved.
Approach
The project trains employees of Rwandan authorities so that they can better understand the needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and make strategic decisions. The project also promotes networking with international and regional organisations such as the African Medicines Agency. Participants visit international conferences and thus assume a leading role. The Rwanda Food and Drug Authority receives particular support in organisational development.
For this purpose, the project cooperates closely with the Decent Work for a Just Transition special initiative, which contributes towards training qualified pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals and promotes investment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.